Louise B
Parkhurst, South Africa
“Writing that is flawless flows.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA in English, History of Art, Archaeology
University of Pretoria
1984–1986
BA in Information Science
University of South Africa
2004–2006
BA in Metaphysics
University of Metaphysics
2013–2014
Favorite referencing style
I like both the Harvard and APA referencing styles.
Why I became an editor
Books have always been my first love. The joy I found in the written word led me to work as both an English teacher and a librarian, where I could indulge my love for reading and writing while helping others broaden their horizons and sharpen their writing skills. I have been proofreading and editing English essays for years now, and I find it very enjoyable.
Background and experience
I worked as a proofreader for the State Archives in Pretoria. During my time there, I was focused on proofreading a series of books based on the Anglo-Boer War. I also proofread court transcripts. As an English teacher, I have plenty of experience correcting essays. I proofread provincial exam papers for Life Orientation, as well as circuit exam papers for English. I also proofread all of the school's in-house publications and several dissertations.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I love fixing errors and sloppy writing so that a written piece flows flawlessly. There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than reading a piece of beautiful, evocative writing. I enjoy proofreading and editing thought-provoking subjects, or anything on the mind–body connection, art, history, and/or philosophy.
Favorite book:
Too many to list here, but I loved Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, Gates of Fire by Stephen Pressfield, Four Letters of Love by Niall Williams, and The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.
Hobbies:
When I'm not proofreading, I'm digging through secondhand book stores, hiking, or attending a Biodanza or chanting class.
Editing tips:
Before I start proofreading a document, I read through it to get a feel for the author's style and voice. This also helps me to familiarize myself with the content of the document.
